Original subtitles

(fanfare)

(waves crashing)

Chu Man King.

Our bargain?

Have you told anyone we'd be here?

You know I'm a man of my word.

I haven't told anyone we're here.

No one can possibly know of our meeting today.

Hmph, you must be very confident.

Things might be very different.

After our fight today, you may

have to change your attitude.

If you are still alive.

Don't forget that this isn't

just a fight between the two of us.

The principles and styles of our two schools

are also at stake here today.

Whoever loses this contest,

whoever, they must leave this place

and allow the other to continue teaching in peace.

As we agreed on that, we may as well begin.

Be assured that I do not intend to leave.

Nor I.

Let's get it over with now, then.

(tense, dissonant music)

(fighting and grunting)

(bone snapping)

(bone snapping)

(heavy impacts)

(pained grunts)

(energetic, rhythmic music)

Master.

I think Mr. Chan will appreciate

this present I'm taking.

Hm.

I'm sure he will.

This is your first time away from our school.

Do you know the aim of your trip?

I'm going to see my future wife,

and open a martial arts school

in Mr. Chan's village.

Right.

I have passed on all that I am able to teach.

Try to teach your new students well.

For my sake.

Yes, master.

You have always said,

the spirit is more important than the kung fu.

Hmm, that is right, the reason I've taught you that

is because the spirit, you don't need

to learn lots of styles.

The spirit's at your command.

Yes, master.

Take this letter to Mr. Chan.

Sir.

Well, we had better not keep them waiting for too long.

Yes, sir.

(grunting and whooshing)

(clanking)

(applause)

You are the cream of my students,

and I have been teaching kung fu

for close on 25 years.

Since I was a young man learning kung fu like you,

I've had a dream.

And that dream is that one day,

I could take my kung fu to everyone.

I hope that through you, I can achieve my aim.

If you're willing to do so.

You must remember one thing.

I've not taught you to kill.

I've taught you to teach, and that is far more important.

You must never use what I've taught you to harm others.

Always put the spirit of Snake Fist Kung Fu first,

before your own desires.

And now, young men.

I will send you out all over our great country,

to teach, to own your own schools.

[Students] Sir.

Wang, and Chang.

Quickly.

[Both] Sir.

(fighting and grunting)

(pained groans)

(applause)

Get up.

Sir.

(squeaking)

(cracking)

Young master, your kung fu is truly invincible.

Right, sir.

[Wai] Well done, my son.

(laughter)

(ominous electronic music)

Father.

Mhm, well, your kung fu's improved a lot.

Father, it's only due to your teaching.

Mhm, young man, you're good,

but not as good as you still could be.

You need to practice your internal strength.

Father.

Surely brother has reached the height of his perfection.

Not yet.

My son.

It is very difficult to be unbeatable.

I, above all people, should know that.

You still have a lot to learn.

Father.

I swear that I will try to make.

Crane Kung Fu the top martial art.

That has long been my dream.

But you must practice until you are able to beat me.

Only then will that dream be realized.

But...

Remember what we want.

Keep on practicing.

(applause)

(cheerful music)

[Chu] I hope you'll all find success.

[Students] Thank you, master.

[Chu] Goodbye.

Cho Kim.

Yes, master.

What is the matter?

I think you're heading in the wrong direction.

Oh?

What do you mean?

I have long been aware of who you are.

You were sent here by Wai.

He sent you here, didn't he?

So you could learn our school's Snake Fist.

Well, that you have done.

And so what?

You know nothing of the spirit

behind the Snake Fist Style.

Without that spirit, what you have learned from us

is totally useless to you.

You can go now.

Sir.

(tense music)

Hello, sir!

Oh, sir, a man.

Come on.

(splashing)

And who the hell do you think you are,

drinking our water like that?

Nonsense.

This water is here for everyone.

There is still plenty left for you.

(quizzical noise)

Show him.

(fighting and grunting)

Hey, wait!

(fighting and grunting)

It's the wrong one!

(amused noise)

(whooshing)

He's using Snake Fist.

Get him.

Give that back to me.

You men.

Bring him along.

Come on.

(funky music)

Wait.

On your knees.

Hold!

What is your name?

Who is your master?

I know you do Snake Fist.

My master's name's Chu Man King,

and I'm Wu.

Hmm, is that so?

So you're the one that they call the Dragon.

Dragon, why don't we find out who's best?

I cannot fight you without a reason.

Master, he's the one that taught me

not to fight shit.

What?

How dare you insult our master?

He's your better!

Hmm.

You must be the son of Wai.

Crane Fist.

Will you accept my challenge?

Well, since you've asked me so nicely.

Untie him.

Hey, there's no need.

What?

After all, you didn't tie up my legs.

(shocked muttering)

You're too proud.

Teach him a lesson.

(fighting and grunting)

Wait!

(fighting and grunting)

[Wai's Son] Hold it!

Now you've seen the Snake Fist, are you satisfied?

If so, can I go now?

Wait.

There is more.

You are a bastard.

Why don't you let me go?

Brother.

Let him go.

If Father should find out what we've been up to,

he'll be mad.

You're a lucky man.

Thank you.

You are most generous.

(upbeat, rhythmic music)

(irrirated grunt)

Cho Yu, you are my man.

Yes.

(thoughtful grunt)

Right.

Tell me about the Snake Fist.

Yes.

It's certainly different.

I've never seen anything like it before in my life.

Even with a lot of practice,

one fighter would take several years

to learn the whole of the technique.

I know that flexibility

is the key to their style of fighting.

(irritated grunt)

Show me the style later.

I must take a rest.

Sir.

Hello, young master.

I heard you've improved.

It's good to see you.

How about that style?

(laughing) I'll show you later.

I'm still a bit tired now.

Son.

Surely you can wait a few hours.

Father, why did you send Cho to spy on them?

It wasn't just for their technique.

Dammit, don't you listen?

I wanted to know their secret.

And hopefully we do, now.

Father, that wasn't all.

What if it wasn't?

That is my business, and none of yours.

(dramatic music)

(knocking)

(muttering)

Father?

Expecting someone?

Take a look.

Yes.

Ah, it's you!

I thought you were coming tomorrow!

Jen.

I just couldn't wait to see you again.

So I came earlier.

(laughing) Let's go inside, Father is waiting.

(affirmative grunt)

(thoughtful grunt)

Well, this is really something.

(affirmative grunt)

This letter is for you.

Roll this up.

[Voiceover] Mr. Chan, what I dreamt all those years ago

is finally coming true.

My students are spreading the spirit

of Snake Fist Kung Fu throughout the country.

I hope that one day, all of martial arts

will unite with a common goal of peace.

(thoughtful grunt)

Master Chu is really one of the world's great men.

You're right.

Master Chu always emphasized

the motive of what we did.

That is just

one reason why I have respect for him.

He teaches his students forgiveness,

and not how to kill.

In the past 20 years,

I have never seen the master hurt even one man.

That's him.

He tries to allow people to see for themselves

where they've gone wrong.

That way they stand a better chance

to find their own way back to society

without causing trouble.

When you start teaching your students,

you must try to do the same thing.

[Students] Sir!

Begin.

(shouting)

Change!

Change!

Change!

(laughing)

Darling, did I choose the right husband for you?

Don't make fun of me.

Tell me one thing if you can, Father.

Why are you so good to him?

He's the best young man I've ever known,

and you should be happy he's now your spouse.

Father.

Don't you think that

you expect too much from him?

(laughing)

Dear, are those gloves you're knitting for me?

Hm?

(laughing)

Well, they're for him?

Father.

(laughing)

(peaceful music)

Hey.

Hey!

(tense electronic music)

Why did you tear up our poster?

We're from the Crane Fist School.

No one else can teach around here

without our permissoin.

That doesn't make sense.

You teach yours and I'll teach mine.

I won't interfere with your business.

Hm, you won't, won't you?

You're trying to steal our students.

Come on, teach him a lesson.

(fighting and grunting)

Let me try your Snake Fist then.

(fighting and grunting)

(amused grunt)

(peaceful music)

[Student] Master!

[Chu] All right.

And what is the matter with you?

I woke up.

I knew that you'd have to be up here somewhere.

I came up here to think about my past and my future.

I don't understand.

Why do you have to come up here to worry?

I see our country is covered in bloodshed.

Everyone is hunting for glory.

Everyone wants a reputation.

Why don't they join together,

as one body, and do something worthwhile?

I hope this dream can be fulfilled.

You've done your best.

You've sent your students all over the country

to teach the others.

But out of the ones I've sent,

how many can actually transfer

what they've learned to other people?

Oh.

(chuckling)

Tell me.

Whatever possessed you to go

and learn the Snake Fist technique?

You've betrayed us.

Sir, you cannot call what I've done a betrayal.

I was not happy while I was here, so I made a break.

You stupid asshole.

I want to hear the real reason why you left.

Your style of kung fu is very selfish.

You want to destroy.

Well, I've learned better.

There is more to martial arts than just fighting.

Snake Fist has taught me that.

And that's the reason that I left.

You are now saying that you think.

Crane Fist is useless?

You bastard!

(grunting and punching)

(snapping)

(ominous music) (gurgling)

Brother?

What's happened?

The dirty bastard has betrayed us.

He went over to Wu.

How could he do that?

Sister, I'd like to have a word with you.

What's wrong?

Father will be 60 very soon.

Right?

I have a good idea.

Oh.

(whooshing and grunting)

(tapping)

(bone cracking)

(tapping)

(bone cracking)

(tapping)

(bone cracking)

(loud, dissonant music)

(ominous music)

(grunting)

[Wai's Son] Father!

Yes?

What's the matter?

Father, we have something which we want to ask.

What's that, oh?

Hm, I knew you'd forget.

It's about time for congratulations.

Oh.

I completely forgot again.

It's my birthday.

Well, since you'll be 60, we thought

we'd plan a really big celebration.

The biggest.

(laughing)

That is a wonderful idea you've had.

Thank you.

You've both been very good to your old father.

However, I don't think now is the time

for a celebration.

But why?

You know that all the other forms of martial arts

are growing stronger all the time.

Your birthday would be the perfect opportunity

for us to show them exactly how capable we are.

Mm-hmm.

Uh-uh.

You want to invite all the masters

of all the kung fu schools

to a party on my behalf?

No way.

You shall not have my permission.

But we can show them.

Listen to me, my son.

There is no need to let your enemy know everything.

When you fight him there'll be no surprise.

There's no need to show off.

Father!

You have often taught us

that we should show our offense.

Father, what's wrong?

Have you got a secret

that you want to hide from your children?

What secret?

I'm telling you now not to show off.

You're not yet good enough to fight them.

I'm good enough to fight anyone.

You should know that.

Why have you never told us what happened to your leg,

surely you're not ashamed?

Goddammit! (slapping)

My leg was hurt when I was very young.

It was an accident.

Here you go.

Thank you.

This isn't too bad at all.

Thank you.

I hope you'll be continuing with your lessons.

I will, thank you.

Well?

Really, I know nothing about it at all.

Mr. Lau, you have been serving my father now

for the last 20 years or more.

Tell me about his leg.

It was not an accident.

Yes, I know it was not an accident at all.

His leg was hurt by someone.

But believe me, this is all I know.

So he was injured in a fight.

Well, Ting, Wang.

[Both] Sir.

I want you to see to it that I have a word

with the master of Snake First.

[Both] Sir.

[Voiceover] Chu Man King.

It would give me great pleasure if you could visit me

for my 60th birthday celebrations.

I hope you can spare the time to join me.

Perhaps then we can bury the hatchet forever.

Hmm.

Perhaps I should go and congratulate Master Wai.

Master.

I think you better make up an excuse for not going there.

Why?

Don't you find it extremely odd?

He wants you to be there?

Don't be so suspicious.

He wants to forget the past on his birthday.

Seems perfectly natural, for him to ask me.

He'll be angry if I don't attend.

You shouldn't be so uncharitable.

Sir.

Wait.

You get any news,

about what's happening with Wu.

Tell me.

Yes, sir.

(loud dramatic music)

You can't teach here.

(fighting and grunting)

(bone cracking)

Dammit!

It strikes me you want to learn the Snake Fist technique.

Well, now's your opportunity.

All right.

(battle cry)

(fighting and grunting)

Get lost!

Don't ever come here again.

You understand?

[All Three] Yes.

Go back and tell your master, I'm fed up!

I won't leave him unless he leaves me alone.

(affirmative mumbling)

Get out!

Get lost!

[All Three] Yes, sir.

Master Chu, I'm glad that you could make it.

You shouldn't have come to greet me.

Greet you?

I didn't come here to greet you.

I came here to find out how my father's leg was injured,

and the name of the bastard who did it.

I also wanted to show you the power of the Crane Fist.

That invitation was not sent by your father, then.

You're the one who sent it.

Why don't you cut the melodrama,

and give me the answer?

(ominous music)

(chuckling)

You want me to fight with a mere boy?

Lee.

(affirmative grunt)

Show him your Snake Fist.

I know you just want to wear me out first.

Ting. [Both] Sir.

Teach him a lesson.

(fighting and grunting)

Wait.

(whooshing)

Hold it.

(fighting and grunting)

You are still young.

You shouldn't pry into your father's business.

What?

(fighting and grunting)

It's a shame.

Your father has a bad-mannered brat.

(fighting and grunting)

What you are doing

is misusing what your father taught you.

I suggest you ought to leave.

Don't just stand there.

Your father has enough worries.

You shouldn't be a burden to him.

What?

Are you completely and totally useless?

You're nothing but shame to the Crane Fist clan.

Well, you're a fine one to talk.

Your leg!

Oh, oh.

(angry grunting)

(bone cracking)

My son, don't you realize

why I have kept silence for the last 20 years?

I am waiting to take revenge.

I am your son, I can avenge you.

No.

I hope that one day you will be able to.

At the moment,

you are still not skilled enough.

As you've so successfully proved

with that fiasco today.

(whooshing)

(blade slicing)

(applause)

Break it up.

What the hell do you think you're all doing

just standing around?

[Students] Sir.

Brother, what's the matter?

I'll tell you.

Father has killed Mr. Lau.

What?

I suspect Chu was the one

who beat our father.

That happened more than 20 years ago,

what could we do now?

Take revenge.

I don't care how long ago it was,

Crane Fist must teach him a lesson.

[Voiceover] Since the beginning of martial arts,

those who have fought for right

have been surrounded by evil.

I've spent my life fighting for good.

But now I'm tired, so very tired.

(peaceful music)

(blade whooshing and stabbing)

(blades slicing)

(punching and kicking)

(crashing)

(shocked music)

(fighting and grunting)

(bone cracking)

(pained groan)

(punching)

(stomping)

(fighting and grunting)

(pained groan)

(fighting and grunting)

(bones crunching)

(fighting and grunting)

(stabbing)

(pained screaming)

(crumbling)

(fighting and grunting)

(stabbing)

(fire roaring)

How terrible.

Such a great man is dead.

Why did Crane Fist do this?

There must be some reason which we don't yet know about.

I must find out what it is and take my revenge.

All right, you must go back home.

He can't go.

He can't go, not now! [Father] What do you mean?

All right, I know what he wants to do,

but it's far too dangerous for him to go back now.

Master Chu wouldn't want you to go back.

Not until it was safe to go.

Jen.

I know that you love me.

But it is up to me now

to stand up for the Snake Fist school.

I must take revenge.

I cannot hide from what is now my duty.

I'm afraid I have to go.

(slow, sad music)

Daughter.

What he is doing is totally right.

(thoughtful mumbling)

Father, oh.

Jen, go home now.

Don't worry, we'll pray for you.

Jen, when I finish, I will come back,

I promise you that.

I know you will.

You're the only man that I ever loved in my entire life.

You'll return, then we can be together always.

Darling.

I promise I'll come back,

and then we can be married.

(romantic music)

May God go with you.

You're not alone.

(affirmative grunt)

(tense, dramatic music)

Today you will be privileged

to taste my famous ninja sword!

(fighting and grunting)

(battle cry)

(whooshing)

Now, every last one of those.

Snake Fist bastards has been destroyed.

We, the Crane Fist school,

have proved our superiority.

All of you have done very well.

You should all be proud to know

that you are members of the best martial arts school ever.

[Students] Sir!

My son.

Your sister told me all about you.

What you've done.

I don't want to say anything about it.

However, I feel the way you've taken your revenge

is not entirely the way I would have done.

It was not right.

Forgive me, father.

Father, at least our aim of being

the best school in the land has been achieved.

Father, what Brother said is right.

Hmm, we are now the best.

However, you should not let it go to your head.

Master!

Master.

Master, I came from Japan to learn,

and twice I've been defeated.

People will start to think I'm a fool.

I'm going to get the hell out of here.

Really?

And who made you so upset?

That damn bastard Wu has beaten me up again.

Oh?

Father, let me go teach him a lesson.

Be careful.

(ominous music)

Dragon Wu.

If you're interested in continuing to breathe,

then you'll put the poster back where you got it from now.

Understand?

I have a question.

Why all the killings?

What is your reason?

Why did you kill my master,

and all his students?

I don't think you'd understand.

Shall we?

(affirmative grunt)

(fighting and grunting)

(bone cracking)

Stop!

Your technique is not for killing.

It's for you to help other people.

You had better remember that!

Go!

Go.

Leave here now, or I won't be responsible for what happens.

All right, but just you remember that we'll be back,

and then you'll be the one who'll have to leave.

Hmm.

So there's still one of them alive.

And he will now try to destroy us.

Father.

He's just one man.

With enough men we can take him.

You are my own flesh and blood.

I must help you to get rid of him.

I told you before you were wrong,

but you were too proud of yourself to realize

what would have happened.

That bastard must be killed.

[Students] Sir.

(applause)

Brothers.

Even though our school has suffered a lot of difficulties,

it has still survived in spite of everything

that Crane Fist has done.

Snake Fist must never give in.

We will survive no matter what happens to us.

(applause)

Brothers.

The Crane Fist people may come

at any time to fight us.

However, we must not forget the master,

and what he taught us.

We must forgive them, as much as is possible.

The spirit of Snake Fist must be more important to you

than trying to protect our own pride.

(applause)

(ominous music)

Who are you?

(pained groan)

(clanking)

Tiger!

Tiger, it's good you came.

How come your men seem so inhospitable to me?

Sorry, we didn't inform them that you're coming

for security reasons.

Father is now waiting for you inside.

He's been looking forward to your arrival.

(laughing)

(cheery, graceful dance music)

Pass the wine.

Don't worry about that young bastard,

I will take care of him easily.

By the time I'm finished with him,

he won't know whether he's coming or going.

(laughing) I'm glad you could come and help us

at such short notice.

I hope you can help my son take care of this problem.

Certainly yes.

(applause)

Let's drink a toast to Crane Fist.

Right.

Cheers, cheers.

(grunting)

Come along, now.

Don't slack, we must practice.

The left!

All right, dismissed.

What's wrong?

There are some men here from Crane Fist.

(ominous, imposing music)

Hm, you must be the Dragon.

I am.

And who the hell are you?

(chuckling) I'm called the Invincible Tiger.

You should be quaking in your boots, son.

Invincible Tiger?

Right.

And just why are you here?

What do you want with us?

Do you want to become a student?

I don't think I want to become a student

of a man who's about to die.

So what?

(heavy impact)

(clanking)

Will you now accept my challenge?

I've been looking forward

to seeing your Snake Fist in action.

But I have never met you before in my entire life.

I have no reason to fight.

Hmm, all right.

That means if you have a reason you will fight.

Master, you should have shown that dirty bastard.

Master, he could have done with taking down a peg or two.

Don't you remember?

The master told us not to fight,

unless there was a reason.

[Both] Yes.

(laughing)

Excellent.

So now he's seen our strength.

Tiger, you should have taught the bastard a lesson.

(dismissive grunt)

I will fight with him later when

he's really willing to fight with me.

Today it would have been meaningless to kill him.

Tiger, there must be a way to force him to fight.

I have discussed it with Tiger.

We have a plan.

You can go ahead now.

Wait, he is not strong enough.

Why don't you help him?

It is very simple, he can handle it.

Father, don't you worry.

Come on.

Sir.

Master, I can't stand it any longer.

They have gone too far, we must fight back this time.

The pressure is weighing heavier

on my shoulders every day.

Master, I try not to get angry.

I follow the principles you taught me.

But I'm not as great a man as you were.

I don't have your patience, Master.

I don't know how much longer,

but I will still try.

Please give me guidance.

Help me!

(slapping ground and sobbing)

Anyone home?

Anyone here?

[Jen] Who is it?

(tense, dramatic music)

You, are you Chan's daughter?

Could you tell me what you want with her?

Never you mind, are you her?

(quiet affirmative noise)

Take her away.

Oh, Father!

Father, father!

Let her go.

Who the hell are you,

and what do you want with my daughter?

Why don't you mind your own business,

or things could stand to turn nasty.

Let my daughter go and leave immediately.

Men, see to it that he won't need a pension.

(fighting and grunting)

(gasping)

(muffled screaming)

Now you shall write a letter to Wu,

and he'll be obliged to come and rescue you.

Understand?

Ask him to join with us and the Crane Fist Clan

and you'll both live in luxury for the rest of your lives.

Well then, write the letter.

Come on, write.

You bitch.

(stomping)

(pained moaning)

Sir.

(whipping) (pained whimpering)

(splashing)

Be smart.

Write the letter now.

Don't give that bitch any food or water

for the next 24 hours.

[Students] Sir.

[Voiceover] If you're wondering

where Chan's daughter is, we have her.

If you want to see her ever again,

come to us and join the Crane Fist Clan.

The dirty bastard.

Master, let's get all of our men together.

Surely we can get her back.

That way too many of our men would die.

(pained moaning)

(laughing) You bastard, you've seen my power now.

Tiger, we really have him.

This time he'll have to join us.

And then at last Crane Fist will be

the leader of the martial arts.

Don't count your chickens before they've hatched.

You must guard her carefully.

Don't give him the chance to get her back.

Yes, Father.

Zhou.

Sir?

I want every available guard on her around the clock.

Sir.

Come on.

(tense, exciting music)

What?

You useless bastards.

Where the hell is my daughter?

Well, now?

What about your damn plan?

Master, we'll get her from him later.

Father, Tiger is quite right.

You're sure?

Anyway, I want my daughter back.

I don't care what must be done.

We'll take care of it.

Damn.

I'm sorry, don't be afraid.

No harm is going to come to you.

Why did you kidnap me, then?

What is it you want?

I want to exchange you for my fiancee.

Your father is holding her some place,

and I want her freed.

They told me that I would have to join them,

but now I can exchange you.

What?

(paper crumpling) Damn!

Master, master!

All right.

Tell him that he will exchange with him.

I want my daughter.

Do exactly as he says, follow his letter.

Sir.

Make ready.

Sir.

Get going.

Sir.

(tense, funky music)

All right, send her over.

Bastards!

Dragon, I'll give you one last chance.

If you'll leave the Snake Fist and join our school,

I'll give her back.

You bastards.

(fighting and grunting)

(pained groaning)

My dear, did he hurt you?

Father, you shouldn't worry.

I was all right all the time.

Darling, I'm so glad to see you back safely.

I'll never let that happen again.

Listen to me, write that letter

for us to your fiancee.

You are stupid.

You may never see him ever again.

Father, I don't think there's any need

for her to write that letter.

Sooner or later, he'll come for her.

Then we'll get him.

Don't talk rubbish.

He will not come.

Dammit, you're just wasting your time.

You're a bitch!

(slapping)

All right, let me show you

the only way you're going to get out of here.

You have to be dead.

(tense, dissonant music)

(screaming)

Wait, don't harm her.

Father, there's no need for him to treat her like that.

She's right, just leave her alone.

Father, but...

Brother, she could never do anything to harm us.

Why must you treat her in that way?

She's no use to us dead.

Leave her be.

If Wu tries to attack us,

we can still use her against him.

She may be useful, but what good

is she to us if she's dead?

Master!

Master, Dragon Wu is fighting with our men.

My god.

(fighting and grunting)

(neck snapping)

(pained moaning)

(fighting and grunting)

(extended pained screaming)

(ominous music)

(fighting and grunting)

(glass clanking)

(pained moaning)

(bone snapping)

(fighting and grunting)

(whooshing)

(clanking)

(pained moaning and gurgling)

(fighting and grunting)

(metallic whooshing and clanging)

(shouting)

(ominous music)

(pained moaning)

(fighting and grunting)

(pained moaning)

(bone cracking)

(rope straining)

(chomping)

(pained moaning)

(bone cracking)

(pained moaning)

(bone cracking)

(shouting)

[Wai's Daughter] Don't move.

Darling!

Jen.

Jen!

(cheerful music)

(stabbing)

(slow, hopeful orchestral music)